There was a saying - the palace of the grand dao spans for three thousand miles and ends with the Southern Sky Temple.
This temple was located in the capital.
Along the large road named “To Heaven”, at the southern end was a large stone mountain towering at 2,732 meters. There were eight hundred palaces and Buddhist shrines; auspicious beasts such as cranes roamed this place.
Southern Sky used to be a tiny shrine on this peak and simply couldn’t compare to a sacred ground like Faith Convent. However, in the last several hundred years, it developed at a rapid pace. Its scale and prestige were at the same level as Faith Convent.
There was a rumor that because the abbot, Maitreya Buddha, was best friend with the current Grand Chancellor, the palace consorts and wives of marquises all went to this place for their wors.h.i.+p and ceremonies. Two hundred years ago, the Jin Emperor performed a ceremony to the heaven in this place.
The eight hundred new shrines were also erected due to its newfound fame.
When the carriage made it to the entrance, the sun had already set behind the mountain.
There has never been a more majestic gate to a temple. Just the plaque made of pure gold was ten meters long and weighed more than ten thousand pounds. The two red doors were filled with crimson nails as large as a human head. To the front were twelve golden pillars with dragon and phoenix engravings. They looked to be soaring towards the nine firmament.
The sunset glow s.h.i.+ned on the golden pillars and emitted a blinding reflection.
Feiyun got off the carriage and a novice Buddhist monk instantly took him inside.
He was only around seven year of age with a round, bald head. His eyes were clear like two precious onyx stones and had a serious demeanor, as if he had seen through the struggles of the mundane realm.
“Young Monk, your Southern Sky Temple is magnificent.” Feiyun followed the monk up a white-jade stair towards the peak.
“There is no rich or rag in the eyes of Buddha. There is darkness in the glow of gold and jade.” The young monk smiled and said.
Feiyun was surprised by the response and had to take a second glance at the monk’s eyes. He found that his gaze was stopped and turned back by a maelstrom three feet before reaching the monk.
The capital was indeed full of hidden experts. Even a seven-year-old monk had this cultivation.
“Benefactor, are you here to light an incense or to wors.h.i.+p Buddha?” The young monk asked.
Feiyun said: “What’s the difference?”
“Of course they are different. Lighting an incense is to ask Buddha; wors.h.i.+pping Buddha is showing respect.” The monk said.
Li Qiye nodded: “I’m not here for either, only to see someone.”
The monk stopped and turned to look at Feiyun: “So Benefactor is the demon’s son. No wonder why there is a surging evil energy on your body. I actually thought you were Dongfang Jingshui of the upper list, not the third-ranker of the lower.”
‘Quite a capable young monk, I haven’t seen through him but he got me.’ Feiyun became alert.
He smiled and said: “Sounds like you know who I’m meeting.”
The monk nodded: “The Divine Consort is waiting at the Blue Sandalwood Courtyard. She bemoans the state of the universe and pity the fate of mankind in the upcoming chaos so she has been praying for three days, hoping that the spirits could protect the citizens of our dynasty.”
“You know a lot.” Feiyun smiled and said.
“Amitabha, I don’t know anything.” The little monk placed his palms together and bowed towards Feiyun before floating upward with fluttering sleeves.
“Whoos.h.!.+” Feiyun channeled his Samsara Steps and turned into a gale to jump from one cliff to another. However, he couldn’t catch up to the little monk. After the guy disappeared, Feiyun landed and looked up to see a simple Buddhist shrine.
“Blue Sandalwood Courtyard.” Feiyun smirked and opened the door without any hesitation.
At this moment, the last sun rays have fallen on the old walls. A faint moon was hanging in the sky full of stars and poured down its warmth.
As he stepped into the courtyard, he could sense an elegant and sweet fragrance. His entire body seemed to be purified.
This courtyard was in a corner of the highest peak in Southern Sky. One could see several hundred miles of the capital when looking down.
Feiyun stepped on a small path paved with blue pebbles and crossed through a thicket of blue sandalwood trees before reaching a shrine.
This was a simple shrine with only one level made out of wood. There were two bronze arhat statues outside.
Feiyun posed coolly with his arms crossed and slightly bowed his head: “This junior is here to greet Consort Ji.”
The lamp inside the wooden house slightly flickered. There was no response.
No cultivator would dare to use their divine intent against a Divine Consort. That would be disrespectful so Feiyun refrained from doing so.
After a long while, Feiyun slowly walked towards the house.
“Creak.” He opened the door.
Inside the house was a simple Buddhist chamber with one statue. An incense thurible was burning with a seat in front. No one was present.
